Business - House Of Coco Magazine

Business November 15, 2023

Is There a Way to Trick an Online Slot?

Online slots are captivating, allowing players to win big and have fun with colorful graphics, catchy sound effects, and the lure of life-changing jackpots. Amid the excitement, some players ponder whether they can uncover a hidden strategy to outsmart the machines.

For those interested in trying their luck with online slots, there is a wide range of options available at https://icecasino.com/hu/nyerogepek. Here, you’ll find a variety of slot games to enjoy. In this article, we’ll explore the world of online slots and discuss the possibility of gaining an edge.

Understanding Online Slots

Before investigating the prospects of tricking online slots, we must grasp how these games function. Online slots use a random number generator (RNG) to determine each spin’s outcome. The RNG ensures that every spin is entirely independent, free from the influence of previous results.

The RNG operates as a complex algorithm that generates a sequence of numbers incredibly rapidly. These numbers correspond to the positions of the symbols on the slot reels.

When the spin button is pressed, the RNG stops at a specific combination, determining the spin’s result. It’s worth noting that the RNG guarantees absolute randomness, making it impossible to predict or manipulate the spin’s outcome.

Are there Tricks to Outsmart Online Slot Machines?

While seeking ways to enhance your odds in online slots is understandable, it’s crucial to recall that slot machines operate on chance. This implies that you can’t guarantee ‘tricking’ an online slot into providing victories. However, when aiming to play slots with the highest possible win frequency, it’s crucial to remember these essential points before visiting online casinos:

Choose High-RTP Slots

Opting for high return-to-player (RTP) slots significantly boosts your overall gaming experience. The RTP percentage represents the amount the slot returns to players from the total bets over time. In simple terms, a higher RTP means better odds for players.

When you choose high-RTP slots, you’re effectively increasing your long-term winning chances. It’s a smart move that can lead to better results and longer gaming sessions. Remember that while RTP is crucial, it doesn’t guarantee instant success, but it does reduce your long-term losses and boost your winnings.

Understand Slot Volatility

Every player should understand slot volatility. It’s about risk and reward. High-volatility slots offer big wins but less often, creating suspense. Players who love this enjoy chasing huge jackpots. On the other hand, low-volatility slots give smaller wins more regularly for a predictable experience.

Knowing your preference for volatility is crucial; it defines your gaming style. Do you want occasional big wins or frequent smaller ones? This choice maximizes your slot enjoyment.

Take Advantage of Bonuses

Online casinos often offer free spins and no-deposit bonuses to attract players. These bonuses improve your gaming without requiring extra money.

They give you more chances to win and extend your playtime, which is helpful when trying new games or increasing your potential wins. Using these bonuses stretches your budget and boosts your chances to win.

Read the Paytable

The paytable helps you understand how a slot game works. It shows the value of symbols, bonus features, and payout rules. By studying it, you learn to make informed decisions while playing.

It helps you identify valuable symbols, trigger bonuses, and use special features. Being informed makes you a better player, and the paytable is your key to improvement.

Set a Budget

Responsible gaming starts with a clear budget. Before you start playing, determine the amount of money you are comfortable spending on your slot adventure. This budget serves as your financial compass, helping you stay within your limits and preventing overspending. The same

It’s a critical practice that safeguards you against financial pitfalls and ensures that your gaming remains an enjoyable and sustainable pastime. By adhering to your budget, you maintain control over your finances and prevent the thrill of gaming from turning into an unwise financial venture.

Others include:

Each casino slot is programmed to provide the house with an advantage. Your advantage stems from analyzing this edge and selecting the right machine to maximize your chances of winning.

Different online casinos can have two different RTP rates for the same game.

Every online slot machine features a different RTP.

Conclusion

In the world of online slots, there is no magical approach to tricking the system. The games are designed to be equitable, random, and engaging. The most reliable way to relish online slots is to do so responsibly while recognizing that the odds often favor the house.

While the temptation of winning big looms large, remember that gambling should primarily be for entertainment, not a pursuit of profit. Enjoy the games and test your luck, but avoid using tricks to conquer the one-armed bandits.

Business November 10, 2023

Crafting Success: The Art of Effective Sales Recruitment Processes

The success of any business relies heavily on the performance of its sales team. As the driving force behind revenue generation, it is essential for companies to have a strong and effective sales recruitment process in place. However, with the ever-evolving job market and increased competition for top talent, many businesses struggle to find and retain the right sales professionals. This is where the art of effective sales recruitment processes comes into play. Crafting a successful recruitment strategy requires a combination of careful planning, strategic thinking, and a thorough understanding of the sales industry. In this article, we will delve into the key elements of a successful sales recruitment process and how it can help businesses attract, hire, and retain top-performing sales professionals. From designing a targeted job description to implementing a thorough interview process, we will explore the essential steps that organizations can take to ensure a sales recruitment agency is recruiting the best talent for their sales team. Whether you are a small startup or a large corporation, mastering the art of effective sales recruitment processes can make a significant difference in the success of your business.

Define Your Hiring Criteria First.

In order to ensure a successful sales recruitment process, it is imperative to define your hiring criteria first. This step is often overlooked or rushed, leading to costly mistakes and mismatches between candidates and job requirements. By taking the time to clearly identify the specific skills, experience, and traits that are essential for the role, you can effectively narrow down the pool of applicants and focus on finding the most suitable candidates. Additionally, defining your hiring criteria provides a benchmark against which you can evaluate and compare applicants, making the selection process more objective and efficient. It allows you to prioritize what qualities are non-negotiable and what can be developed through training and development programs. Taking a strategic approach and setting clear hiring criteria will ultimately lead to a more successful and cohesive sales team.

Leverage Data to Identify Top Candidates.

One effective strategy to identify top candidates in the sales recruitment process is to leverage data analysis. With advancements in technology and the availability of data, organizations now have access to a wealth of information that can be utilized to make informed hiring decisions. By analyzing data such as past performance metrics, sales records, and behavioral assessments, recruiters can gain valuable insights into a candidate’s potential for success in a sales role. This data-driven approach allows for a more objective evaluation of candidates, reducing the risk of bias and subjective decision-making. By utilizing data analysis, organizations can identify patterns and trends that indicate high-performing candidates, increasing the likelihood of hiring individuals who will excel in driving sales and achieving targets. Incorporating data analysis into the recruitment process can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of identifying top candidates.

Use Behavioral Interviews to Assess Fit.

When it comes to assessing fit for sales roles, one effective technique to consider is the use of behavioral interviews. These interviews go beyond simply evaluating a candidate’s qualifications and delve deeper into their past experiences and behaviors. By asking targeted questions about specific scenarios and challenges they have faced in previous sales roles, recruiters can gain insight into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and approach to handling sales-related situations. Behavioral interviews provide a valuable opportunity to assess how well a candidate’s past experiences align with the requirements and expectations of the sales position. By carefully crafting behavioral interview questions and analyzing the responses, recruiters can make more informed decisions about a candidate’s potential for success in a sales role. This approach, when combined with data analysis and other assessment methods, contributes to the overall effectiveness of sales recruitment processes in identifying the best-fit candidates for sales positions.

Streamline the Selection Process Efficiently.

In the ever-evolving landscape of sales recruitment, it is crucial to streamline the selection process efficiently to identify the most suitable candidates for your organization. One effective strategy to achieve this is by leveraging technology and automation. Implementing applicant tracking systems, online assessments, and video interviews can significantly reduce the time-consuming tasks of manual screening and scheduling. These tools enable recruiters to efficiently manage a large pool of applicants, assess their skills and qualifications, and identify top talent more effectively. By streamlining the selection process through technology, recruiters can focus their time and efforts on evaluating candidates’ potential for success, ultimately leading to a more efficient and successful sales recruitment process.

Onboard New Hires for Success.

To ensure the success of new hires, it is essential to establish a robust onboarding process. This process goes beyond a simple orientation and paperwork session. A comprehensive onboarding program provides new employees with the necessary knowledge, resources, and support to quickly integrate into their roles and contribute to the organization’s success. It involves introducing them to the company culture, values, and expectations, as well as providing training on specific job responsibilities. Additionally, assigning a mentor or buddy to guide and support new hires during their initial period can significantly enhance their onboarding experience. By investing in a well-designed onboarding process, organizations can set their new hires up for success, increase employee engagement and retention, and ultimately achieve their sales recruitment objectives.

Conclusion

Crafting an effective sales recruitment process requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to finding top talent. By understanding the key elements and strategies outlined in this article, businesses can create a streamlined and successful sales recruitment process that leads to a strong, dynamic sales team. By investing time and resources into this process, companies can set themselves up for long-term success and growth in the highly competitive sales industry.

Business November 10, 2023

Crafting Success: The Art of Effective Sales Recruitment Processes

The success of any business relies heavily on the performance of its sales team. As the driving force behind revenue generation, it is essential for companies to have a strong and effective sales recruitment process in place. However, with the ever-evolving job market and increased competition for top talent, many businesses struggle to find and retain the right sales professionals. This is where the art of effective sales recruitment processes comes into play. Crafting a successful recruitment strategy requires a combination of careful planning, strategic thinking, and a thorough understanding of the sales industry. In this article, we will delve into the key elements of a successful sales recruitment process and how it can help businesses attract, hire, and retain top-performing sales professionals. From designing a targeted job description to implementing a thorough interview process, we will explore the essential steps that organizations can take to ensure a sales recruitment agency is recruiting the best talent for their sales team. Whether you are a small startup or a large corporation, mastering the art of effective sales recruitment processes can make a significant difference in the success of your business.

Define Your Hiring Criteria First.

In order to ensure a successful sales recruitment process, it is imperative to define your hiring criteria first. This step is often overlooked or rushed, leading to costly mistakes and mismatches between candidates and job requirements. By taking the time to clearly identify the specific skills, experience, and traits that are essential for the role, you can effectively narrow down the pool of applicants and focus on finding the most suitable candidates. Additionally, defining your hiring criteria provides a benchmark against which you can evaluate and compare applicants, making the selection process more objective and efficient. It allows you to prioritize what qualities are non-negotiable and what can be developed through training and development programs. Taking a strategic approach and setting clear hiring criteria will ultimately lead to a more successful and cohesive sales team.

Leverage Data to Identify Top Candidates.

One effective strategy to identify top candidates in the sales recruitment process is to leverage data analysis. With advancements in technology and the availability of data, organizations now have access to a wealth of information that can be utilized to make informed hiring decisions. By analyzing data such as past performance metrics, sales records, and behavioral assessments, recruiters can gain valuable insights into a candidate’s potential for success in a sales role. This data-driven approach allows for a more objective evaluation of candidates, reducing the risk of bias and subjective decision-making. By utilizing data analysis, organizations can identify patterns and trends that indicate high-performing candidates, increasing the likelihood of hiring individuals who will excel in driving sales and achieving targets. Incorporating data analysis into the recruitment process can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of identifying top candidates.

Use Behavioral Interviews to Assess Fit.

When it comes to assessing fit for sales roles, one effective technique to consider is the use of behavioral interviews. These interviews go beyond simply evaluating a candidate’s qualifications and delve deeper into their past experiences and behaviors. By asking targeted questions about specific scenarios and challenges they have faced in previous sales roles, recruiters can gain insight into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and approach to handling sales-related situations. Behavioral interviews provide a valuable opportunity to assess how well a candidate’s past experiences align with the requirements and expectations of the sales position. By carefully crafting behavioral interview questions and analyzing the responses, recruiters can make more informed decisions about a candidate’s potential for success in a sales role. This approach, when combined with data analysis and other assessment methods, contributes to the overall effectiveness of sales recruitment processes in identifying the best-fit candidates for sales positions.

Streamline the Selection Process Efficiently.

In the ever-evolving landscape of sales recruitment, it is crucial to streamline the selection process efficiently to identify the most suitable candidates for your organization. One effective strategy to achieve this is by leveraging technology and automation. Implementing applicant tracking systems, online assessments, and video interviews can significantly reduce the time-consuming tasks of manual screening and scheduling. These tools enable recruiters to efficiently manage a large pool of applicants, assess their skills and qualifications, and identify top talent more effectively. By streamlining the selection process through technology, recruiters can focus their time and efforts on evaluating candidates’ potential for success, ultimately leading to a more efficient and successful sales recruitment process.

Onboard New Hires for Success.

To ensure the success of new hires, it is essential to establish a robust onboarding process. This process goes beyond a simple orientation and paperwork session. A comprehensive onboarding program provides new employees with the necessary knowledge, resources, and support to quickly integrate into their roles and contribute to the organization’s success. It involves introducing them to the company culture, values, and expectations, as well as providing training on specific job responsibilities. Additionally, assigning a mentor or buddy to guide and support new hires during their initial period can significantly enhance their onboarding experience. By investing in a well-designed onboarding process, organizations can set their new hires up for success, increase employee engagement and retention, and ultimately achieve their sales recruitment objectives.

Conclusion

Crafting an effective sales recruitment process requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to finding top talent. By understanding the key elements and strategies outlined in this article, businesses can create a streamlined and successful sales recruitment process that leads to a strong, dynamic sales team. By investing time and resources into this process, companies can set themselves up for long-term success and growth in the highly competitive sales industry.

Business November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Anissa Perkins and her colourful vision for Kaftan Dreams

Growing up in Morocco, Anissa Perkins has had plenty of inspiration for her stylish Kaftan business – Kaftan Dreams. Born out ofa love for fashion, and a passion for beautiful colourful Kaftans made in unique prints – Kaftan Dreams takes the traditional ‘Caftan’ and gives it a luxurious flair.

We sat down with Anissa and discussed how her Moroccan culture has influenced her designs, the sustainable and ethical sourcing of her Kaftans- and finally, how her family has become both support network and inspiration throughout her journey.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Kaftan Dreams?

Growing up in Morocco, I have always had a love for beautiful, colourful and unique clothing and accessories. This love eventually evolved into a business idea in the form of Kaftan Dreams. My own dream is to create a haven of beautiful creations, vibrant colours, luxurious fabrics — all with my own unique prints.

Before starting Kaftan Dreams, I had a career in fashion that spanned two decades. I had been lucky enough to work for Giorgio Armani in France. I stepped away from fashion for12 years to raise my four children, but my passion was calling me back. This is why I started Kaftan Dreams. Now I can be with my family and manage my own creative business that is all about dressing colourful, strong women!

Why did you decide to focus on kaftans in particular?

Kaftans are part of my culture because I was born in Morocco and was used to seeing beautiful women wearing colourful and feminine kaftans when I was growing up in Casablanca. Kaftan or ‘Caftan’ is a loose long gown type dress that is traditionally worn by women in Middle Eastern countries including Pakistan and Persia as their daily wear.

Today, women love to wear both traditional and western outfits equally regardless where they live. When they want to feel the sun or walk on the seashore , they need something different and cool. A kaftan is the perfect choice for every woman who wants to roam around the beaches freely. Our Modern Kaftans are not only used as beach wear dress or swimwear but can be worn as excellent beach-resort wear too. These are just a few of the reasons why women enjoy wearing kaftans.

Our Kaftan dresses are mostly free-flowing, loose gowns that reach your ankles. There are a lot design features added into the kaftan dresses which include fabulous prints, kimono sleeves, and V-necklines with hand finished embroideries.

Tell us about your bespoke collection?

Our luxurious bespoke collection of silk Kaftans feature exclusive prints inspired by the colours of the Orient. They combine traditional fabrics and craftsmanship with modern cuts and a fresh perspectve, offering a feminine silhouette, that’s both sensual and regal.

Rather than dictating the cuts and fabric combinations, we offer you the chance to select the house-designed silk prints you love most in a wide variety of cuts, creating a naturally elegant outfit that will carry you through each day. We work with many groups of artisans to offer traditional techniques of weaving, embroidery, and prints that are exclusive to Kaftan dreams. All creations are ethically constructed. The respect we have for our collaborative artisans a key priority.

How important is ethical sourcing and sustainability to your brand?

At Kaftan Dreams we want our customers to know where the products come from; as well as how they’re made. As a mum of 4 children, I’m concerned about their future and the planet that they will live in. I choose sustainably sourced fabrics and services because of the impact on the environment, and we also want to make sure that our workers are treated well.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

The biggest challenge I have to face is to wear all the hats myself; from sales, to marketing, to accounting, IT, and innovation. These are all the number of roles that I have to assume as owner of a new business. I also find myself isolated in my own little space trying to get my brand in a fashion world that is own by giants and managing my time while my priority is my family.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

Stay authentic and creating something you’re really passionate about.

WWW.KAFTANDREAMS.COM

Business November 9, 2023

A successful morning routine – 6 steps to help get you out of the door in the morning

So, you were up until 2am scrolling through social media until you finally fell asleep. You missed your alarm, you skipped breakfast, had the quickest shower of all time, slapped on some makeup and didn’t have time to prepare your lunch. Now you’re almost late for work and look (as well as feel) a little worse for wear.

If this sounds a lot like your morning routine, then something needs to be done. When our mornings are rushed and frantic, it makes us stressed, anxious and frustrated with ourselves – hardly the best way to start a new day. So, with this in mind, I’ve come up with a simple yet successful morning routine.

Read on for 6 steps to help get you out of the door in the morning.

Prep the night before

The key to a successful morning is in the preparation the night before. So, lay out your work clothes, take off your makeup and have your beauty products ready to go in the morning – check out The POREfessional Primer by Benefit Cosmeticsfor flawless skin prep – know where your keys are, your work bag, your laptop, coat, and also prep your lunch the night before! It will save you loads of time and stress in the morning!

Have a good breakfast

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and it’s true! When you have a good breakfast, you’ll get to enjoy a slow energy release which will keep you feeling full, with bundles of energy. When you don’t have hunger pangs to deal with, you may find that lunchtime rolls around much quicker! Avoid sugary cereals and breakfast bars. Opt for a bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit or honey, avocado on toast with its healthy fats and high fibre content or enjoy a protein smoothie with additional greens and antioxidants. Make yourself a good breakfast – sit down and enjoy it!

Connect

When everything is rushed and frantic, we often neglect the loved ones in our lives. So, to help set you up mentally for the day ahead, take some time to connect with your partner, housemate, children or pet as part of your morning. We all lead busy lives so its important to make the effort and reach out to those we love the most.

Get moving

Fitting in a workout into your morning routine will certainly set you up for the day. Even if you don’t have time to hit the gym, you can still incorporate some movement into your morning – a brisk walk to the store to get some milk, a little yoga or pilates in the living room. Or a resistance band workout in your bedroom. Get your heart pumping and wake yourself up!

Get hydrated

It’s natural to reach for a much-needed cup of coffee but before you do, drink something that will rehydrate you after a long night of sleep. A glass of water is your friend here!

Keep it simple

Don’t try to cram too much into your morning routine. Often, trial and error is the best way to determine what helps get you out of the door in the morning!

Behind the bar November 9, 2023

Interview: A perspective on today’s high streets with George & Joseph cheesemonger owner, Stephen Fleming

Ask any Chapel Allerton local and they’ll know where you can get the best cheese. George & Joseph is a staple piece of this little Leeds high street – and for good reason. However, the man behind the (cheese) wheel, Stephen Fleming, hasn’t always headed up his own business.

Before venturing into the now-infamous George & Joseph, Stephen had worked in IT for 20 years.

“I’d always done what I was best at, at school. It was sort of ‘what are you going to do for A-levels, what are you doing to do a degree in – get a job in it. I did enjoy it but I just had a bit of ‘what if I’d done something differently?’”

Having toyed with the idea of owning some kind of deli, it wasn’t until he started going to a Leeds-based cheese club that the idea of opening a cheesemongers really took his fancy.

“There was nowhere to buy good cheese in Leeds – so [I thought] why not try it.”

After setting up shop just off Chapel Allerton high street, Stephen began selling quality, Yorkshire-based cheeses.

Four years of trading out of their tiny shop, the opportunity came up to move into a unit at the very front of the main high street.

“When we moved around here 2 years ago it just exploded.”

Having gone from selling just 30 types of cheeses to around 120, the business started making a name for itself in the Leeds area.

While the business continues to thrive, there have always been challenges to keep Stephen on his toes.

“When Aldi was built a couple of years ago some people would say to us ‘oh that’ll be terrible for you’ and we were like ‘no actually, it’s not’ – because it’s different to what we sell. I’d actually rather have them here [on the high street] than on an industrial park because that would pull people away from here.”

Stephen notes how local businesses in the area are far more supportive of each other than people might think.

“We look out for each other – you can imagine sometimes having a small business can be quite a lonely place but actually it’s nice to compare notes. If we get stuck with something, we can always bounce it around one of the neighbouring business – usually the greengrocers or butchers – and usually we’ll get some ideas or solutions. It’s that reassurance that everyone’s in it together.”

In terms of the high street’s legacy, Stephen has noticed a shift in how people are shopping nowadays. “We have an awful lot of repeat customers. But then every week we get people in who haven’t seen us before that have either read about us or heard about us from friends – lots of word of mouth stuff. Because we don’t have much in the way of budget to do big marketing – word of mouth is great.”

As with many local businesses, owners are looking at ways they can adapt and keep up with the interest and engagement of their customers. At George & Joseph, they’ll be starting training courses for people to get a certificate accredited by the Academy of Cheese.

“It’s good fun, you learn about cheese, you learn about how it’s made, you get to try lots of cheese and there’s a little online exam at the end of day and you get a badge and a certificate if you pass.”

Alongside this, George & Joseph are participating in a local business run event called The Chapel Allerton Indie Trail. A whole host of local business are part of this ‘trail’ whereby people can collect stamps from shopping at the participating businesses. Once someone has collected seven stamps, they will be entered into a £150 prize draw.

It is hoped that this will encourage people to explore their high street and pop into places they might not have done otherwise.

Even with all of these exiting things going on and business booming, Stephen still has time to appreciate his main passion amongst the paperwork – the cheese itself.

“I’ve always liked a harder or crumbly cheese – I was fed a lot of Cheshire when I was little and I’ve still got a soft spot for Cheshire, Lancashire and Wensleydale type things.”

George & Joseph, 140 Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 4NZ

Beauty November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide : The Creative Nature of Travel with Gloria, Melon & Starfish

We love hearing stories about how travel sparks new ideas and passions. For Gloria, founder of Melon & Starfish , a ‘brave decision’ to head to Korea to sharpen her languages skills left her with a burning desire to bring the K-Beauty market to the UK…

HOC: Hey, Gloria! Tell us about your journey to being an entrepreneur?

Gloria: I guess, when people talk about their entrepreneur stories, most of the time, it starts with a passion, a dream, or an idea. For me, it’s more of a journey of discovery.

I started my career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. in London and Singapore. During my time there, I had a real privilege to work with many people who were actually entrepreneurs. The thought of setting up my own business never occurred to me at the time but this probably planted the seed.

On weekends, I enjoyed watching Korean dramas. Initially, it was just for fun, and relaxation. Then, I thought it might be a good idea to pick up a new language skill so I began taking evening classes to learn Korean.

One thing led to another. After spending two years in Singapore, before returning to the UK, I made a ‘brave’ decision to go to Korea to sharpen my language skill and experience the Korean culture.I enrolled into a university language programme and spent 8 months in Seoul where I discovered, in addition to K-pop and K-dramas, there is this huge K-beauty industry.

After returning back to London, I started my research of K-beauty in the European market. After six-month preparation, we set up our online store with the hope to bring the Korean skin care philosophy to the UK and spark some joy in people’s skincare journeys.

HOC: Such an exciting journey! When did Melon & Starfish come into being? And what’s the meaning behind the name?

Gloria: We started preparing our online store around September 2017 and it went live in January 2018.

Our name, Melon & Starfish, symbolises our mission – to bring you high quality skincare products because we want you to have the best skin possible.

Melons are smooth, supple and resilient; Starfish are one of the only animals that can regenerate itself. We always have this imagery in mind when we select our products.

HOC: And how do you go about selecting your products, there must be tonnes of great ones out there!

Gloria: We purposefully seek out products that are natural, plant-based and packed with unique ingredients that are difficult to find anywhere else. We personally test all the products and learn what we love about these products before bringing them to our website.

HOC: I have to admit, I’m new to Korean beauty products! Where should I start?

Gloria: When I told my friends that I am now running an online K-beauty store, the first thing they reply: ah, I’ve heard of the 10-step routine! True, K-beauty made its name with the ’10-step’ routine. But the truth is, it’s much simpler than it sounds. If you ask me how many steps it should really be. I would say it’s really up you and how your skin feels. It should be adjusted to your own skin type, the climate you’re in or how busy your life is.

The essence of Korean Beauty is “skincare always comes first”. Start with taking care of your skin beforeeverything else. A classic Korean skin care routine includes: double-cleansing (both oil-based and water-based cleansers), toner, essence, moisturiser, and SPF.

The most essential steps out of all? Double-cleansing for the night and SFP for the day (and, yes! You need to wear SPF even on the rainy days).

After all, skincare should be fun; not a burden or a chore. It’s all about experimenting and finding out what’s best for you.

HOC: So interesting. As an expert, what is your favourite ingredient / product?

Gloria: My favourite product is Lan’s Tamanu Cream from the newest curation LANBELLE. It’s like a miracle cream that work for all skin types and it has the softest texture that I’ve ever encountered for a cream. The smell is quite unique, probably not for everyone’s taste but it grows on you.

The key ingredient of Lan’s Tamanu Cream is Tamanu oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil). The precious Tamanu oil is extracted from the kernel of Tamanu fruit. Approximately only 5L of oil can be extracted from one tree of Tamanu.

Tamanu tree also has unique nickname: God’s tree, and Tamanu fruit is known as miraculously omnipotent fruit among natives who live in Pacific Islands area such as India, Vietnam, Southern Pacific Area, and it is known to promote wound healing and skin cell regeneration.

HOC: For our entrepreneurial readers, what advice do you have for them to start their own thing?

Gloria: I would say, just be brave and go ahead!

Many say you need to have a well-laid plan before you start. However, the reality is things always change, so does your plan. One of the most important things I learnt so far is to start with a small step, and then one step at the time. Many things can be learnt along the way.

Sometimes, the longer you wait, the less willing you become to take that first step.

HOC: What product you’ve brought to the UK means the most to you and why?

Gloria: The brand Olivarrier means the most to us. The name Olivarrier is the combination of ‘Oliva (latin for Olive)’ + ‘Skin Barrier’.

It is the very first brand we curated for our ‘clean beauty’ collection. The brand’s philosophy 100% matches with what we believe and look for in a skincare brand – i.e. with natural, plant-based ingredients, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, vegan-certified, free of toxins, EWG-verified and cruelty-free. What more to ask?

Their star ingredients are the plant-based triple hyaluronic acid and 100% pure olive squalene. The ‘dual moist’ line is named with these two ingredients in mind.

HOC: How do you keep yourself motivated and on track?

Gloria: The Korean beauty industry is relatively fast moving – there are always new brands, new technology and innovationscoming out each year – so it never gets boring.We all love shopping.

Researching brands and products is like you get to go window shopping every day!

It is also quite fun to learn about those new, unique ingredients. For example, you probably heard of snail mucin which is great for moisturising; also, pearls for brightening, centella for soothing and calming, etc.Plus, we regularly travel to Korea to see what’s hot in their local market and, you get to eat amazing food there too!

HOC: Finally, if you ever have a creative block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Gloria: Probably hit the gym or grab a coffee with my friends.

HOC:What does 2019 look like for Melon & Starfish? What plans do you have for the brand?

Gloria: In 2019 we have seen that consumers are becoming more considered when making their purchasing choices. People become more aware of topics such as climate change, food waste, etc.The once-a-niche concept of ‘clean beauty’ also has moved to the mainstream – we often hear that our customers are actively searching for skin care products that are vegan, natural, organic…

As people, we also care about this ‘one strange rock’ that we are living on. As a business, we will continue focusing on our ‘organic and natural’ collection this year – we are not only hunting for the brands/products with ‘clean’ ingredients but also ‘clean’ in packaging and manufacturing processes.

What an honourable mission!

To find out more about Melon & Starfish head over to MelonAndStarfish.com

Follow the brand on instagram @MelonAndStarfish

Business November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Don’t Listen To The Nay-Sayers with Camille Marie Coaching & Sacred Sensual Soul

Our interviewee today, Camille, started her entrepreneurial journey how many of us do – working 9 to 5 (what a way to make a living). She knew she had a message and mission to share but was afraid to take the leap.

Since taking that leap, Camille has found the freedom that allows her to do great work with both Camille Marie Coaching and sister business Sacred Sensual Soul which focuses on human sexuality.

Camille, as you can imagine, is filled with great wisdom – so let’s get into it…

HOC: Great to meet you, Camille . You started your journey to being an entrepreneur while working 9-5, is that right?

Camille: You too! Yes, you’re right. I started toying with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur around the Summer of 2016. I knew I had a message and mission to share but I was scared to take the leap and go out on my own. I’d been struggling with loving the work I did at the agency I worked for, but hated having to answer to the bureaucracy of an employer and being required to work a set schedule while raising three little boys. I’ve never been one who has worked well with a set schedule and wanted more freedom.

Since 2008 I’ve worked in social services and found it frustrating to always be limited by policies and procedures that didn’t always fit every situation for the clients I worked with. I’m a very creative and innovative person and if I saw a way something could be done better and challenged it, I would often times hear the reply, “this is how it’s always been done and will continue to be done”. If upper management did agree that my recommended changes were reasonable, the policy or procedure in question would have to go to some type of human resources or quality control department to review and make changes themselves, who had limited knowledge of what they were even working with. It was so frustrating for me.

HOC: And where did you go from that point of frustration?

Camille: I started baby steps over the next year and a half by building my websites, getting my LLC and developing documents I would need to run my businesses. Sometime around Spring 2018 I was notified by my employer that they were shutting down the program I was a part of. I was offered a position in another department, but I knew I wanted to continue the work I had been doing, and that I could do it on my own. I saw it as a sign from the universe that it was go time; that was the push I needed to branch off and really launch.

In August 2018 Camille Marie Coaching, LLC officially opened. It was terrifying, and exhilarating. I’m not sure I would have done it, at least not that soon if I had not been laid off from the position I had. That was a huge lesson to me that the universe creates what looks like obstacles, but are really doors opening if we allow ourselves to get uncomfortable and move through it.

I launched my second business Sacred Sensual Soul shortly after. Initially, I was going to have them both under one business name but got market feedback in a soft launch that it was weird to people to have sex coaching and parent coaching under the same business, so split them up into two separate ones. They function completely separately although over time I’ve been getting moms I’ve worked with as a parent coach initially, who then become clients for sex coaching.

HOC: Such an amazing progression. How did you get your businesses off the ground, who were your first clients?

Camille: My first business, Camille Marie Coaching (CMC), LLC got a contract with Washington State’s Children’s Administration in August 2018 to teach evidence based parenting classes to parents involved with Child Protective Services. For this contract, we serve families who have lost custody of their children due to abuse or neglect and have been court ordered to attend parenting classes in attempts to regain custody of their children. At that same time CMC began offering the same classes to the public sector as well, both in person and online. The online classes have been awesome to launch because it allows parents from literally anywhere in the world connect with me and has allowed more families access because of the easy accessibility. I’ve also noticed that some people just engage better when they have that veil of the screen between you and them. It’s just the world we are in today with technology. My agency also started offering trainings to foster care agencies on topics related to children such as anxiety in children. Because I had been in the industry so long, word spread quickly that I had an agency offering these great parenting classes and trainings.

Soon after this, CMC started offering additional programming to support families who have children with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, as well as other diagnoses such as Anxiety, ADHD and Autism. Most of these children need specific accommodations in their school setting to be successful, and CMC works with the school staff to ensure that there is written documentation of the accommodations that child needs. CMC also helps come up with behaviour intervention techniques that will help the child thrive in school settings as well as at home.

HOC: What amazing work to be doing, but quite different from the work you do with Sacred Sensual Soul, as you mentioned…

Camille: I guess so! I’ve always been comfortable talking about and learning about human sexuality. In 2016 I started a Masters Program in Human Sexuality which gave me a lot of detail about female anatomy I had NO idea about.

It fascinated me that I had so little knowledge about my own body, ( didn’t even know what I didn’t know, until I knew!) and realized many other women were in the same boat. I took courses on communication in sexuality. I began to learn about what my turn on was. I studied almost obsessively about mind-body connection and became incredibly familiar with the philosophy of Tantra (which I use in my work with women) and the importance of mindfulness. I read all things divine goddess.

In the process I came across exercises and techniques to get more and more in touch with the body which in the process, led to a deep understanding that the body is a vessel to my own divine goddess. I also began coming up with my own techniques to connect mind, body and soul which was incredibly healing. Throughout this process I developed a knowing that if I could tap into that energy, it could be an endless source of vitality. I began sharing my ideas with friends, asking them to apply some of my concepts and exercises and had such good feedback!

That was when it became clear to me that I wanted to bring this information to other women as a practice. To help women heal, to feel empowered, to find their voice for their body, their temple, their needs, wants and desires. And so, Sacred Sensual Soul opened for clients the summer of 2018 as well. I have been working on an interactive workbook for women putting all of these ideas to paper, that I hope to one day publish.

HOC: It’s a very interesting topic and not one we hear too much about here in the UK.

Camille: I work with women to help undo any stigma they may have around their sexuality that may have been placed by society, religion, family messaging, or experiences with partners they’ve had. It’s astounding, and sad to me how many women have rejected their own feelings and desires due to conditioning from these sources. It’s astounding to me how much emphasis there is on the man’s needs, wants and desires, and yet women feel uncomfortable even being curious about, or asking for their own. When I work with women, I really try to help them feel comfortable with identifying things like figuring out what their turn on is; kink, intellectual conversation, romance, physical touch, quality time. This is so important for a woman to know, because it’s an example of how her desire matters, and this knowledge can then give them a voice to ask for what they need to actually want to, or look forward to intimacy with their partner.

I teach women how to identify what about intimacy they enjoy, (and how to speak up about what they don’t!) and to practice that so that the focus isn’t on orgasm alone. Through this process I give them tools to learn how to embrace, honour and get in touch with their body, so that they learn that mind-body connection IS their source of their sexuality and it doesn’t have to come from someone else. Often times I will give women homework of doing some of the exercises I was talking about before to learn to connect with their body. For example, teaching women how to do breast massage. I will encourage them to make it a part of a routine in their day, such as after getting out of the shower. I’ll suggest they use a lotion or oil that smells good to them so that it is another way they are intentionally serving themselves. This may sound trivial, or nonsensical. However, the breasts are a beautiful gift to women that can be honored as a piece of their femininity. Not only is breast massage a way to take a moment to slow down and serve your inner goddess, it circulates the lymphatic system, and can also provide self pleasure. For women who are not comfortable with their bodies, this simple exercise, with the intentions can be helpful with that. I love that it requires no one else.

A huge part of the shift towards empowerment that sex coaching gives women, is to learn how to communicate with their partners. It is not uncommon that many couples can have sex, but are uncomfortable communicating about it which can result often times in a woman’s needs/wants/desires to go unmet. I’ve found often times that when a woman opens up communication with her partner about these things to honor herself, he is more than happy to oblige.

I also help women learn to turn within for their own sexual gratification, and power. Rather than relying on what family thinks, or even their partner. This helps women to learn to connect with their inner goddess and let her guide how they show up each day. The book, Pussy, A Reclamation by Regena Thmashauer is a great resource for more information about that.

HOC: Being someone that has worked in a number of fields, how did you know that what you do now was right for you?

Camille: I’ve always loved working with families and children. Even before college, I worked at a preschool and loved babysitting as a teenager. I always knew I would work with youth in some way. When I learned about the parenting classes curriculum I knew it would be perfect fit for me and have done it for the past 11 years. It’s been easy for me to continue that work in my own business.

For the work with Sacred Sensual Soul, as I mentioned, I’ve always been fascinated by human sexuality and comfortable talking about it. When I had my spiritual awakening start in 2016, I noticed that I started to let go of what society around me had told me I “should” feel, act, dress and respond in regard to my sexuality. And when I say sexuality, I mean my inner goddess, my divine soul, my true nature…I wanted all of me to be in alignment instead of how I thought I “should” be. As I began to educate myself on female anatomy, female orgasm and pleasure, societal conditioning, the trauma women endure from suppressing their truth, it all came down to this innate piece in women needing to be seen and understood; their sexuality. Because it can be the powerhouse of every female.

I learned through my awakening how powerful it can be to have a deeper understanding of all of those things and harness the power that comes from knowledge about one’s self in this area. I knew it was a calling to share this information with other women. It was like I HAD to do it.

That purpose gets stronger the more women I work with and, the more I learn about the different journeys that bring so many women to the same space of just craving a deeper understanding and knowing about their bodies and sexuality. So many women think there’s something wrong with them and a little education and undoing of social conforming goes a really long way! I’m still working on my interactive workbook that I know will be so educational and moving.

HOC: Really fascinating businesses you run. We imagine that it’s not always been smooth sailing; what challenges have you had to overcome to build your business?

Camille: One challenge I’ve had in being such a small agency, is that I’ve had to learn to do a lot of things that are not strengths of mine. If something is not a strength of mine, I tend to put off taking care of it which can have negative impacts.

To overcome this, I’ve really learned to hone in on what I can delegate to others, so things don’t pile up. I’ve hired an accountant to handle my billing and now have a virtual assistant to manage things that are just not in my wheelhouse.

At first it was hard for me to do, asking others to do things for me. But I’ve learned that it allows more creative space for me, and gives me the time and freedom to focus on what I am good at and can grow my businesses more. These investments have been tremendously helpful so that I don’t get bogged down on details that I’m not good at.

Another challenge I’ve had is that I’m a mom to 3 little boys who is driven by her career, and also doesn’t want to miss a moment of my children’s life. I have to constantly be weighing each day. This is where time blocking is helpful.

HOC: Great advice! For our readers looking to start out on their own, what would you say?

Camille: Know that it’s scary in the beginning. And you WILL get resistance. Lean into it. Don’t let the challenges convince you that it means you’re not doing what your soul knows is right for you. If you have passion burning inside of you for something, if you have an idea, you have the ability. The universe wouldn’t give you the idea if you couldn’t do it.

Don’t listen to the nay-sayers. There will always be someone who will try to convince you otherwise.

It is helpful to write out exactly what you want. Refer out work that is not in your wheelhouse as soon as you can, however you can, so that those things you suck at and put off don’t slow you down. Do this by hiring people, or if you can’t afford that yet, do a trade or find a high school or college student who will do it for low cost.

HOC: You have such an energy, where do you get your inspiration from?

Camille: I get my inspiration from women in my everyday life who are examples to me of shining their light. For example, my natural path doctor, Dr. Kellie Lawler who is fierce and knows how to be soft, and give tough love at the same time is an inspiration to me. Or my friend Michelle Green who is an empath, and amazing mother, is an inspiration to me.

There’s also my son’s 3rd grade teacher who embraced the challenges he put in front of her with love, is an inspiration to me. My mom, who always sees beauty in nature is an inspiration to me. My grandmother who was always good to everyone is an inspiration to me. And finally, my cousin Lysa who is always standing her ground is an inspiration to me.

I also get inspiration from nature. I always find peace, and inspiration in nature. I plan quarterly “mommycations” where I find a cabin in the mountains and go for a weekend, typically by myself to just connect with nature and unwind.

HOC: And finally, how do you get yourself out of a creative funk?

Camille: I tend to get in a funk when I have too much going on in my life and can’t get my head clear. When this happens I’ll look at my schedule and usually see I’ve gotten a bit sloppy about time blocking and will then work on making that a priority again.

I’ve learned that for me it is crucial that I have time in the morning to work out, meditate and be calm before I get my day going. Days that I start off like this are my most productive.

I think it’s important for someone to know when they do best with getting their creative juices flowing. For some people, it’s in the AM, and for others, it’s in the PM. I do best with creativity in the evening after my kids have gone to bed, with a glass of wine. I think this works best for me because I know that I have no time constraints and it’s a peaceful time in my home.

Find out more about Camille’s work at CamilleMarieCoaching.com and SacredSensualSoul.com

Arts November 9, 2023

#BossBoy : Smashing Creative Blocks & Bringing Art to The World with Artist Rodney Durso

Among all the hustle loving entrepreneurs we work with on this series, we love when we meet someone who’s passion and experience has lead them to filling a crucial need gap and positively impacts the world we live in. Rodney Durso, an artist and avid supporter of emerging talents talks us through his journey to where he is today – and some advice for all our creative readers.

HOC: Great to meet you, Rodney. Tell us about your journey from your graphic design business to becoming an artist?

Rodney: My first love was advertising and design which I studied at Boston University. Through that program I also studied British advertising and TV commercial production in London for a year and worked as an intern for Spot Films near Leicester Square. When I returned to New York I returned to graphic design, and after a few years of study and freelance projects I started my own agency called Stormhouse Partners. For about 8 years I ran the agency and was Creative Director.

We had a good run and won a ton of awards, but in the end I was totally burned out. I decided to try my hand at a few new things, including teaching at Parsons School of Design, which I did for four years. I also started a Masters of Architecture and began painting.

Well it’s the painting and fine art that stuck.

HOC: Being a graphic designer by trade did you find the leap from taking a brief (from a client) to working from your own brief challenging?

Rodney: Interesting question. One of the reasons I left design was frustration with meagre budgets, impossible timelines and short sighted strategies. Painting did away with all that. However in the brand business having a creative brief actually made it very clear what was needed to solve a marketing or business problem, and that part I liked. I knew what the rules were, there were guard rails, so to speak. In a sense it was easy to measure success, and failure.

In fine art, there is none of that. There is no one and nothing to tell you what to do, which seems great, right? Well the truth is that having no boundaries can be much more difficult. In fact, being an artist, and having to create something from nothing makes you go deep. It’s super personal, I tell people it’s like looking in the mirror all day, everyday. It’s not only a monastic practice, it’s a little too self involved at time. So, there’s that. But after a time, the challenge becomes more about getting your work seen and sold. To me, that’s where the challenges now lie.

HOC: I believe you don’t create art full time as you also run ArtBridge and OffSite, how do you balance these varying demands on your time?

Rodney: I founded ArtBridge in 2008/2009 and ran it full-time for a number of years. As we developed a board of directors and expanded our staff I was able to transition to Board President and stepped back from the day-to-day. So somewhere along the way I was able to dedicate more time and space to my art making. At this point I’m in the studio three days and working on ArtBridge and other projects the other days. I’m still always pushing for new connections and opportunities for ArtBridge, and my ‘elevator pitch’ is always at the ready for anyone who’s interested.

HOC: Can you tell us more about ArtBridge and OffSite?

Rodney: I founded ArtBridge in those first years after I left the branding business. I was looking for an innovative way to get the work of emerging artists seen outside of the gallery system, which I saw as impossibly closed to new artists. The idea of exhibiting art on construction scaffolding around the corner from major Chelsea galleries was pretty bold. Art that the galleries would never consider was all of a sudden printed and installed at 100x a few blocks away on the largest building in Chelsea! It was pretty exciting for those first artists. In fact that was exactly 10 years ago, and we are about to stage a 10 year anniversary exhibit on London Terrace Gardens, the same place we hung our very first exhibit on West 23rd Street and 9th Ave. It was a few years later we started Off Site Art (OSA) with Veronica Santi in Italy when L’Aquila was destroyed by a terrible earthquake. The idea of creating a sister organization not only to carry the same mission but wanting to help L’Aquila on it’s way back seemed important and something we could help with. (Editor’s note see www.offsiteart.it for more!)

The idea of bringing new light, color and life back to L’Aquila’s city center after such a disaster was something we knew we had to do, and for the last several years, Veronica and her team have done quite an amazing job. In fact, the ArtBridge/OSA partnership is one of our most successful projects to date and OSA is now looking at projects in other Italian and European cities. We’re also talking to art advisors about possible inclusion of an Off Site Art project in the 2019 Venice Biennale.

HOC: Why, in your opinion, is it so important to link the public to art?

Rodney: Good question. The gallery system is changing, some say it’s dead. I’ll just say it’s less important that it was 10 years ago. There are so many online opportunities and other ways to see art, but here in Chelsea there are still plenty of galleries. Or look at Instagram, and how that has changed the public’s access to art. The point is that we need as many channels as possible to get people in front of art, and I think Public Art is one of the most important ways to get that done. Art in the public realm is uplifting to the daily pedestrian experience. Seeing art on your way to work, or anytime you’re walking is a treat, and it’s especially important in an urban environment of concrete and steel, for example. Color, shape, line, and light in an artistic form enriches are minds, makes us think, and stimulates. It’s a very different experience for our brains and nervous system then just looking at billboards, or such.

HOC: For our creative readers, what advice would you have for them to grow their artist practices and get their work seen?

Rodney: It’s so multi tiered. There are so many options and ways to grow your practice and get your work seen, you have to really follow the path that not only feels right for you, but one that you get some joy from. It’s always going to be work to get your art out there, but if it feels like drudgery you’ll never succeed. Pick a channel that you can push on that brings you some joy as well.

For me, with my design and branding background, I love the brand and promotion aspect. I like posting on social media, I like designing postcards, and books of my work. I love a photo or video shoot that promotes my work, but that’s me. I also need to see new work, I need to be inspired all the time, or I get sluggish with my work.

Being in NYC, I’m a bit spoiled. Running out to a gallery or museum in the middle of the day can change the direction of my art, or inspire me into some new idea, and then I’m back in the studio and working again. I would also really suggest doing studio visits with friends and other artists. I do a newsletter every few months and I always include an interview with another artist. This keeps me connected to my peers and reminds me that it’s not “all about me”. In fact we’re working on the next newsletter now, so check back soon to see who’ll be next.

HOC: What artwork that you’ve created means the most to you and why?

Rodney: I spent a few weeks at the American Academy in Rome in May 2016 as a visiting artist and was deeply interested in the ongoing presidential campaign back in the US at the time, but being in Italy gave me a very different perspective. Italy has had its issues with crazy political leadership, and the similarities between Italy’s Berlusconi, and the then candidate Trump, were too similar to ignore. From that perspective I created a series that, although it gets a lot of attention from galleries, no one actually wants to own and hang in their home. I totally understand that, the work is hard to look at for very long. The series is called Disconstructing Trump and here is a bit from my curatorial statement:

“Watching Trump being interviewed — I began to photograph the TV screen with my iPhone and using the high-speed, (multi-shot function), I took about 300 photos in less than 10 minutes. With those images I began to build collages that, to me, capture Trump’s multiple personalities. In these works,

I believe, his true conflicted and disturbing nature begins to be revealed. At once contradictory, creepy, binary, multi-layered and unsettling, I’ve only started to reveal the real persona. Dismantling, cutting, disassembling, rearranging then reassembling this imagery is the essence of Disconstructing Trump!”

(Editor’s note, to find out more visit www.rodneydurso.com/artworks/disconstructing-trump )

HOC: Who / where do you get your inspiration from?

Rodney: The inspiration comes from the usual sources; anxiety, fear, pain, love, rejection, uncertainty, anger… you know, the regular stuff of life. But more seriously, I do think that I channel all of these emotions into my work.

To start my work I have a process. I start by putting on my messy painted jeans, and a couple of layered old t-shirts. I have a pile of painting clothes that I leave in the studio. Then there’s always strong English tea, like P&G, or Yorkshire Gold, or sometimes I’ll have a coffee instead.

Then there’s the music, and it’s got to be loud. One of my favorite albums to start my work with is Paul Weller’s “Wildwood”. Something about those first guitar lines and songs — Sunflower, and Holy Man and then Wildwood — that get me into that headspace and ramped up to create. It’s one of my favorite records ever. Full stop. Once I’m into my work I can switch it up and put on BBC, or NPR — the kind of American equivalent.

At other times, my inspiration comes from new materials, or news stories, or the need to complete a commission. Having a timeline, a deadline always gets me working. Not necessarily inspired, but moving and making work.

With my background in marketing and design, I still believe that art is just a product at the end of the day. A very personal one albeit, but a product nonetheless. So sometimes we can’t rely on inspiration alone to get us making work, we have to have multiple methods to push us forward.

HOC: If you ever have a creative block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Rodney: That’s a very timely question, as I’m just now coming out of a block, or I like to think of it as a much needed break. I think creative output comes in bursts or cycles and I’ve learned to respect the way it works. I think these in between periods are needed resting points for the creative mind. I find that when I’m not working, I need to take in, or sponge-up art and inspiration. Last night I ran up to the Guggenheim after work to see the Hilma af Klint show, and wow, it really jolted me with new ideas about color and scale.

I would say that any input whether visual, or musical or even travel can inspire new work, so when I’m not actively creating, I’m taking in ideas for whatever will come next.

HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Rodney: My best advice for the 2009 me would be stay focused!.. or more specifically, to make a plan with more specific goals. Ten years ago, I was doing too many things and chasing too many dreams. I think I would have been a little less crazy if I had stuck to maybe one or two ideas instead of three or four. In the end, it’s all good, I’ve created a successful nonprofit organization with both domestic and international projects, and started to make headway in the artworld. My interest in branding and design is also alive once more and I’ve begun to do projects again in that realm.

I guess the truth is, as a creative soul, we are restless and always looking for the next thing. I’ve come to terms with that part of me and I’ve got a lot of gratitude for my sometimes childlike excitement for whatever’s next.

We’re sure you’ll love to find out more about Rodney’s work – see the links we’ve thoughtfully scattered throughout the interview and go to RodneyDurso.com and follow @RodneyDurso

Accessories November 9, 2023

Marielle Kangasniemi shows how Bagpad is all about loving handbags and the environment

Any self-confessed bagaholic is familiar with the age old dilemma of taking care of their prized designer handbags. It is exactly this brilliant bit of insight that inspired fellow handbag lover, Marielle Kangasniemi, to create Bagpad.

The idea for Bagpad is simple. Originally inspired by the iconic Hermès Birkin, Bagpad is a specially sized and customisable product that supports the interior of your handbags, maintaining its shape, and also reducing moisture damage. Besides being an absolute must for handbag lovers the world over, Bagpad also provides a longterm solution to keeping the shape of your handbags, while reducing plastic waste.

We catch up with Bagpad Founder, Marielle Kangasniemi, and talk all things Bagpad, her collaboration with One Ocean Foundation, and about the biggest challenges and triumphs she has faced as a GirlBoss.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, what inspired you to start Bagpad?

I’ve always to do something on my own, I just needed to find the idea. So after I finished my masters in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni, I knew I wanted to do something within fashion and luxury. I’ve also always had a passion for handbags, so I decided to combine my passion with my knowledge and came up with this unique solution that didn’t exist before. Now when you think about it, it’s such an obvious thing that all handbag lovers need.

The iconic Hermès Birkin Bag is the inspiration behind the bagpad, as this is a bag that really needs support when it’s not in use. So the first bagpad was made to fit the Birkin bag, but now we offer bagpads to fit any designer handbag. The bagpads can also be personalised with monogramming and we offer fun patches for decoration too. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who has a handbag.

How important is sustainability to Bagpad? Could you’ll us more about your collaboration with One Ocean Foundation?

Sustainability is one of the core elements of Bagpad, as the whole idea was to create a long-term solution for keeping handbags in shape and reduce the use of plastic. What’s currently in use is bubblewrap, plastic bags, or tissue paper? We know that plastics are the most common form of trash in landfills, and the most dangerous form of pollution. The ocean is filling up with garbage, so in order to help, we are in collaboration with the One Ocean Foundation, which raises awareness about the urgency to resolve problems plaguing our marine ecosystems. They create specific projects to help safeguard marine life, and also perform beach cleanups throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Every individual can contribute to saving the oceans through simple but virtuous actions.

At Bagpad we are very committed to do our part to save the planet, and so we use biodegradable packaging and recyclable materials. Plastic in itself can be harmful to the leather and interior of the bag, as it might transfer colour, start ‘sweating,’ or even scratch the leather, which is why we use only premium materials that are especially suitable for designer handbags.

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What steps can we take to become more conscious consumers?

Always choose the more long-term solution. Even if you can’t find a completely sustainable and Eco-friendly product, it’s better to choose the one that lasts longer, even if it might cost a bit more. There is already so much waste in this world, so any conscious decision to reduce the use of plastic is for the better.

It’s also important to take care of what you have so that it lasts longer. That’s why it’s important to take care of your handbags. They are meant to be used for a long time and if you take proper care of them they can last decades.

There are many ways to take care of handbags, but the most important one is to keep them filled when not in use. This prevents the leather from creasing and helps the bag to keep its shape. Our bagpads also protect from excessive moisture to keep the bag in perfect condition.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

To find time to do everything! I wish I could clone myself so that I would have time to do everything and be everywhere at the same time. It’s challenging but also very exciting to work with all aspects of the business. I learn so much everyday and I feel so grateful for having this opportunity.

Another thing that can be tricky is figuring out the marketing strategy. There is so much going on in social media and consumers are exposed to so much marketing all the time, so it can be difficult to stand out. You really need to know who your customers are and where they spend their time. Luckily our product is unique and customers can really see the value in it.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

If you have an idea or a chance to start something on your own, just do it! You can dream however much you want but if you never start, you will never know. Don’t be scared of setbacks, they help you grow and push you in the right direction. There is always help available and especially London is such a great environment to start a business. I’ve met so many inspiring people here and you never know who you’ll meet, there’s always someone who knows someone. Expanding your network is key!